When Canada declared war on September 10, 1939, the Canadian army training establishments had to be rebuilt, or started from scratch. One of these was Camp Debert.
Debert, Nova Scotia is a flat plain, now just a sleepy farming community. It is also located next to the main Montreal-Halifax rail line.
I remember Grampie telling me that he trained there. He would also take some leave, or shall we say, sneak off to go see my grandmother at her farm which was only about 25km away. He be able to leave at night and then get back on base before wake up. When I get the chance, I shall add pictures from my grandfather collection which is now in storage.
Friday 28 February 2014
The Germans
Germany, having suffered the defeat of the first world war, and the humiliation it felt it had suffered from the allies seethed for twenty years. Like most of the world, they suffered the great depression, but the direction they took plunged the world into another global conflict.
I abhore Nazism. As did my grandfather. He enlisted to stop this tyranny.
But for the averge German, they must have felt trapped. Fighting for their country, then survival.
To balance this blog, I wanted to note some of the German troops Canada faced in this conflict. Over time I shall be upgrading this posting with the weapons, and equipment these divisions had. At no time will I display Nazi imagery.
During the Normandy campaign, 3rd Canadian Division faced three major German units
21st Panzer Division, a regular army division and 12th SS Panzer Division. The 12th SS were the Hitlerjugen formation which was so pumped up on Nazi propoganda, that when they first captured members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, they murdered them.
The final unit was the 16th Luftwaffen Feld Division, made up of surplus Luftwaffen personnell.
The 21st Panzer Division troops are made up in my 1/72 collection from ESCI.
(all pictures courtsey of plasticsoldierreview)
My 12th SS division is a mixed bag of figures:
These are ESCI Afrika Korp, but I have painted them in field grey as troops in Normandy.
I have also modeled these as Luftwaffen Feld Division troops
I abhore Nazism. As did my grandfather. He enlisted to stop this tyranny.
But for the averge German, they must have felt trapped. Fighting for their country, then survival.
To balance this blog, I wanted to note some of the German troops Canada faced in this conflict. Over time I shall be upgrading this posting with the weapons, and equipment these divisions had. At no time will I display Nazi imagery.
During the Normandy campaign, 3rd Canadian Division faced three major German units
21st Panzer Division, a regular army division and 12th SS Panzer Division. The 12th SS were the Hitlerjugen formation which was so pumped up on Nazi propoganda, that when they first captured members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, they murdered them.
The final unit was the 16th Luftwaffen Feld Division, made up of surplus Luftwaffen personnell.
The 21st Panzer Division troops are made up in my 1/72 collection from ESCI.
(all pictures courtsey of plasticsoldierreview)My 12th SS division is a mixed bag of figures:
These are ESCI Afrika Korp, but I have painted them in field grey as troops in Normandy.
I have also modeled these as Luftwaffen Feld Division troops
Saturday 22 February 2014
Osprey Publishing - Dieppe 1942
Osprey Publishing - Dieppe 1942
as mentioned before, my grandfather was involved with the aftermath of this operation. His responsibility was to reorganise the equipment issued to the survivors and to the replacements.
as mentioned before, my grandfather was involved with the aftermath of this operation. His responsibility was to reorganise the equipment issued to the survivors and to the replacements.
Osprey Publishing - British Battledress 1937–61
Osprey Publishing - British Battledress 1937–61
The Canadian army wore this uniform, as did most Commonwealth forces. As part of his job, my grandfather would have been responsible for supplying Canadian troops with replacements.
The Canadian army wore this uniform, as did most Commonwealth forces. As part of his job, my grandfather would have been responsible for supplying Canadian troops with replacements.
Osprey Publishing - The 25-pounder Field Gun 1939–72
Osprey Publishing - The 25-pounder Field Gun 1939–72
As a member of the Royal Canadian Ordanance Corps, my grandfather was responsible for supplying the Royal Canadian Artillery with their ammunition.
As a member of the Royal Canadian Ordanance Corps, my grandfather was responsible for supplying the Royal Canadian Artillery with their ammunition.
Saturday 8 February 2014
Osprey Publishing - Canadian Forces in World War II
Osprey Publishing - Canadian Forces in World War II
As it states the obvious, this covers all the forces Canada mobilized to fight in World War Two.
This was the army my grandfather was in. And I'm proud of what he was able to do, to come home, raise a family, run a business, and help us to remember, that war is not the answer.
As it states the obvious, this covers all the forces Canada mobilized to fight in World War Two.
This was the army my grandfather was in. And I'm proud of what he was able to do, to come home, raise a family, run a business, and help us to remember, that war is not the answer.
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